Projectable eraser



Feb. 2,1937.

J. H. ROUSE PROJEGTABLE ERASER Filed April 6, 1956 mi A a w PatentedFeb. 2, 1937l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to erasers; particularly in combination withmechanical pencils.

A chief object of my invention is to provide an eraser which may bereadily projected or ex- 6 tended to cover the writing point of a pencilso that an erasure may be made with the same end of the pencil as isused for writing.

A further object of my invention is to provide a projectable eraser sopositioned as to alTord a l convenient linger rest when not inuse, fromwhich position it may be projected for erasure with one finger withoutreleasing hold of the pencil.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a part longitudinal section of a structure embodying my.invention showing the eraser in its normal position;

Figure 2 is a similar part longitudinal section of the same structureshowing the parts in the relationship that they bear when the eraser isin its projected position; and

Figure 3 shows the invention in use for erasing.

In the drawing, the numeral I I denotes the body of an ordinarymechanical pencil having a xed tube I2 through which the lead I3 is fed.The member I 4 is adapted to slide freely on the tube I 2 and within thebody II and carries an eraser I5 mounted in a cup I6. The compressionspring I'I bears against the collar I8 on the tube I2 and the innerupper end of the member I4, normally holding said member in the positionshown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 2 the member I 4, carrying the eraser I5, is shown in itsextended position with the compressed coils of the spring acting as alimiting stop.

The member I4 is smaller in diameter at its upper end so that thatportion of it may slide within the body II. This allows the junction ofthe body II and the member I4, which forms a rest for the forenger inthe unextended position of the eraser, to be conveniently near the pointof the pencil regardless of the length of travel provided for theeraser-holding member I4 and the length of the spring II desirable forcorrect ten- 0 sion.

Ihe eraser itself is clearanced from the tube I 2, as shown, so as toavoid excess friction. The cup I6, holding the eraser, is a sliding fiton the tube I2 so as to support the eraser in its extended posi- 5 tionthereon.

The operation of the device is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Theeraser-holding member is held extended by the forenger so as to coverthe point of the pencil, in which position erasure may be made. When thefinger is removed, the member (Cl. 1Z0-38) I4 snaps back into theposition shown in Fig. 1, leaving the pencil point ready for use. 'I'heeraser may be projected by the thumb or second finger if the pencil isheld in other than the customary manner.

I have chosen the particular embodiment described above as illustrativeof my invention but it will be apparent that various modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,which modifications I aim to cover by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a mechanical pencil having a barrel and a leadretaining tube therein, of a hollow eraser holder supported by said tubeand slidable thereon to the point end of said pencil, means for holdingsaid holder normally away from said point end comprising a compressionspring on said tube and within said holder, and a tubular erasersupported within said holder.

2. The combination with a mechanical pencil having a barrel and a leadretaining tube therein, of a hollow eraser holder slidable on said tubeto the point end of said pencil, means for holding said holder normallyaway from said point end comprising a spring around said tube and a stopon said tube, and a tubular eraser supported within said holder.

3. The combination with a mechanical pencil having a barrel and a leadretaining tube therein, of a hollow eraser holder slidable within saidbarrel and on said tube to the point end of said pencil, a collar onsaid tube, means for holding said holder normally away from said pointend comprising a spring on said tube and within said melder compressiblebetween the latter and said collar, and a tubular eraser supportedwithin said holder.

4. The combination with a mechanical pencil having a barrel and a leadretaining tube therein, of a hollow eraser holder slidable on said tubeto the point end of said pencil, means for holding said holder normallyaway from said point end comprising a spring around said tube and a stopon said tube, a tubular eraser, and a cup rigidly mounting said eraserand having a hole in its upper end freely tting said tube, said mountederaser being supported within said eraser holder.

5. The combination with a mechanical pencil having a barrel and a leadretaining tube therein, of a hollow eraser holder slidable within saidbarrel and on said tube to the point end of said pencil, the outerjunction of said barrel and said holder forming a nger notch; means forholding said holder normally away from said point end comprising aspring around said tube and a stop on said tube; and a tubular erasersupported within said holder.

JOHN H. ROUSE.

